My journey of hope and the Yemeni revolution

I started to join twitter and Facebook as the Egyptian revolution began, I followed the Tunisian revolution but I guess I thought it a one-off. I remember when I first heard there were protests in Yemen I was surprised and if I’m honest; pessimistic too. I had lived and worked in Yemen and from what I had experienced I knew change would be hard. I remember trying to discuss with university students what they thought of the president and what they thought of the state of the country and corruption in 2008! I don’t doubt that you will not be surprised none shared my views the president and his system were the fault – but hey I couldn’t fault them.

Coming back to when I first heard of the protests I began to follow some of the pages on facebook and began to spend hours on end on twitter. I worried constantly about Yemen I worried because Yemen had an armed society (Yemen’s gun per capita ranking in the world is second only to the USA). The Egyptians quickly carried on with their revolution thus ousting Mubarak and as Bahrain and Libya came in to the spotlight, I carried on tweeting everything from Yemen; wishing and hoping to see my people stand up for what was right, not what was accepted.

The break came the momentum began to pick up and the protesters began to become more organised in their marches, their slogans, their accuracy and speed in relaying information so the world could witness. I remember sitting hours on end going through videos, online newspapers, FB pages and trying to tweet and follow everything going on. I remember tweeting till the first signs of dawn and thinking I need a couple of hours of sleep before work. Even with my family complaining that I would go mad by myself with only my laptop and as they worried about my lack of sleep I refused to be deterred.

This revolution should’ve happened years ago because of Saleh and his regime Yemen has endured nothing but corruption, poverty and an illiterate population for 33 years. I felt the people deserved to have freedom and change; in my heart I wish nothing more than to see them succeed. I believe this revolution has to succeed for a hope of a future – for our children; it has to succeed so we may be known for our wisdom once again like our ancestors not Qat and ‘Terrorists’.

In the course of this revolution I have seen and heard of women, men, our youth and precious children shot at, beaten, abducted and yet they still carry on. I have seen people march with such firm determination and I felt it my duty to try to spread their message and give them my undivided attention. Ten months on the world still seems to not talk enough about the longest most peaceful revolution.

A small insight into what people across Yemen have had to endure from the regime (These are recent events in Taiz – Some Graphic Images)

This revolution has made Yemen unforgettable even if the media does not give it its due coverage it will leave its mark. Yemen to the world before was known as the home of the so-called AQAP but now people will know it as the land of perseverance, the land of the most armed; yet the most peaceful.

Huge marches, millions demanding and chanting ” The people want the fall of the regime “

I have high expectations and I know this will be a bumpy road but I have hope and I have no doubt the light at the end of tunnel will come. I must give my thanks and utter respect to the revolutionists; the activist across the world and the journalists all helping to show the world the injustice that is taking place. My thoughts and prayers to all the martyrs from Mohamed bouazizi to the many thousands – You paid the highest price for democracy and freedom so your people may experience and enjoy it. Last but not least thank you to my ever understanding family.